The third battle of Tara: An army of Black Spiral Dancers converges around Tara while the Fianna celebrate Beltane. The army uses both ancient and modern weapons, with a suicide bomber destroying the outer wall. The Fianna and their fae and spirit allies defend the Caern, with reinforcement arriving via moon bridge from all over the world. In the end, the Black Spiral Dancers are defeated, but numerous Elders of the Tribe have fallen.[11]

The Æon Society publicly announces its UN support and issues an invitation to open dialogue with any interested novas. The UN works behind the scenes to calm and reassure the world that Æon can handle the nova outbreak.[20]

The World Health Organization approves a series of new techniques for genetic engineering, many of which were created by the Triton Foundation. Most national food inspection groups, such as the FDA in the United States, copy this move, marking the first widespread use of genetic engineering for livestock and crops. Global food production increases by 25% by 2006.[22]